H.S. BOYS HOCKEY: Hingham must replace firepower

The Harbormen lost a lot of goals when last season's talented senior class departed. Now players such as Frankie Higgins, Marshall Terres and Tom Kornack must step up.

Marisa Ingemi, For The Patriot Ledger

HINGHAM – One thing the members of the Hingham High boys hockey team know how to do is win.

Not only has the team been to the past two Super 8 tournaments – this after capturing a Division 1 state title three seasons ago – but a bulk of the squad also won a lacrosse state championship last spring.

For a program with 14 playoff appearances in 18 years, including a Super 8 crown in 2009-10, success is the only option.

Several key players have graduated – Marc O’Rourke and Jack Hennessey are preparing for their first college lacrosse seasons, and leaders Stephen Jacobs and Jeff Gordon are also gone. Those four, each a Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic pick, combined for 32 goals, 49 assists and 81 points last winter. Fellow graduates Jack Grady and Drew Hickey combined for 27 more points.

The Harbormen now need to look deep within themselves to make up that missing production.

“I think we have a bit of an inexperienced team; some people would call it young,” said coach Tony Messina, whose team opens its season at home against Framingham on Monday. “We have a small core returning. A good part of the team is guys who have been waiting their turn in line to contribute.”

After posting a 16-6-2 record last season, expectations remain, no matter who is suiting up. Losing, two games to none, in the Super 8 quarterfinals for the second year in a row – this time to eventual champ Arlington, with each game a 4-1 score – was a tough look, and Hingham is motivated to go deeper in the Div. 1A tournament this winter.

Senior captains Frankie Higgins, Marshall Terres and Tom Kornack figure to shoulder much of the load.

In net, Rob Kornack returns as an anchor of stability for the new-look roster. He allowed just 1.50 goals per game last season, along with six shutouts, as the Harbormen surrendered just 33 goals in 22 regular-season games.

“We have some work to do, but we have a good group of guys from last year, too,” said Messina. “We want to bring the younger guys in and make them feel comfortable. Everything else takes place on the ice.”

In the Super 8 last season, the Harbormen had the misfortune of running into a hot goalie in Arlington’s Jack Pinard. With even less scoring returning than last year, Hingham will have to get creative to beat the best the state has to offer.

Junior Will Kenney is slated for a big year as a scorer, according to Messina, and senior Jake Quilty is more than capable beside him. Juniors Jacob Clark and John Sullivan are also projected to “contribute significantly,” Messina said.

With so many roster spots open for players to make a name for themselves, the Harbormen will have a more competitive battle for minutes than in years past.

But that doesn’t mean Hingham isn’t a force to be reckoned with. Even with some drastic losses, the Harbormen’s depth looks strong, especially along the blueline.

It’s just about those players stepping up.

“We do have some guys from last year who are very confident we can get there,” said Messina. “We also have guys who were a part of the team who know what it takes and who will get a shot now.”